Operating device for a construction machine

ABSTRACT

An operating device for a construction machine includes a plurality of operating elements for adjusting operating parameters of the construction machine, and a display unit which is configured to display technical data. The operating device further comprises a docking station at which the display unit is attached so as to be removed without tools and which is provided for connecting the display unit with at least one data line and/or power supply of the construction machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/068,769 filed Mar. 14, 2016, which claims foreign priority benefitsunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) to European patent application number EP 15158 953.8, filed Mar. 13, 2015, and European patent application numberEP 15 162 984.7, filed Apr. 9, 2015, which are incorporated by referencein their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an operating device for a constructionmachine, preferably for a road finishing machine or a feeder.

BACKGROUND

Generic operating devices are employed in conventional constructionmachines to control working functions, in particular in road finishingmachines or feeders. As is well-known, such operating devices comprise aplurality of sensors which are configured to adjust a plurality ofoperating parameters of the road finishing machine or feeder. For anoperator to be able to trace the preset operating parameters, these aredisplayed by means of a display unit integrally formed in the operatingdevice. By the display unit being integrated in well-known operatingdevices, the operator may only view the operating parameters displayedby the display unit when he/she is in the direct proximity of theoperating device. A further restriction of well-known operating devicesis that the display units integrated therein are only used fordisplaying operating parameters.

SUMMARY

The operating device that will be described below in connection with thepresent disclosure may be employed for all functionalities of theapplicant's WITO system which was presented in April 2013 at the BAUMAin Munich. For example, by means of the operating device according tothe disclosure, the following functions of the WITO system may beperformed:

entering installation data and automatically correcting the enteredinstallation data;

starting the engine of the road finishing machine or feeder by means offinger scan, eye scan and/or pin code;

automatically adjusting the roof profile on public roads, e.g., atcrossings or turning points;

automatically adjusting screeds when cornering;

processing of data of a temperature module attached to the roadfinishing machine;

monitoring and adjusting a crawler cleaner; and/or

receiving data from monitoring units, for example cameras and/orsensors, which monitor the surroundings of the road finishing machine orfeeder.

An object underlying the disclosure is to provide an operating devicefor a construction machine by means of simple technical constructivefeatures in such a way that it is suited for multifunctional employment,in particular to provide an operator with means that facilitate his workand lead to an improved working result.

The disclosure relates to an operating device for a constructionmachine, wherein the operating device comprises a plurality of operatingelements for adjusting operating parameters of the construction machine,and a display unit which is configured to display technical data, inparticular at least one of the set operating parameters, operatinginstructions, service instructions and/or temporary operating states ofindividual function units of the construction machine. An operator maythus trace, among other things, the operating parameters currentlyadjusted by him/her on the display unit. This provides the operator atany time with an overview showing whether the selection of the operatingparameters has been correctly made corresponding to the operation of theconstruction machine.

According to the disclosure, the operating device comprises a dockingstation to which the display unit is attached so as to be removedwithout using any tools and which is provided for connecting the displayunit with at least one data line and/or a power supply of theconstruction machine. By means of the docking station, it is thuspossible to firmly couple the display unit to the operating device or toremove it from the latter, so to speak as a portable electronic unit.Therefore, when the operator is in the direct proximity of the operatingdevice, he/she may firmly connect the display unit with the dockingstation, i.e., attach it in the docking station. If on the other handthe operator is not in the direct proximity of the operating device,he/she may take along the display unit as a portable mobile unit thatmay be operated wirelessly by simply taking the display unit out of thedocking station. This means that for taking out the display unit fromthe docking station, he/she does not need any additional tools torelease any mechanical coupling. Taking out or undocking the displayunit according to the disclosure is not to be understood as dismountingit in the sense of unscrewing or dismantling it. In contrast, thedisplay unit according to the disclosure is intended for functionaloperation even in the removed or undocked state. To the contrary, thedisplay unit in well-known solutions is only operable when the displayunit is mounted in the operating device.

By providing the operator with the display unit as a portable unit,he/she may take it out of the docking station upon termination of theworking operation on site and take it home or to an office while theroad finishing machine or the feeder remains on site. A theft of thedisplay unit may thus be prevented. Thus, one may moreover avoidundesired weather influences overnight, e.g., frost, on the displayunit, leading altogether to an increased service life of the displayunit.

The construction machine is preferably a road finishing machine, afeeder for a road finishing machine, a roller vehicle, an excavator, abulldozer, a milling machine, a rock crushing machine, a tip truck or atractor, without being restricted to these special types of vehicle.

A particularly sophisticated means is provided for the operator if thedisplay unit is a tablet computer. The latter may be particularly easilyattached to the docking station of the operating device due to its flatdesign. It is moreover excellently suited as portable unit to make iteasier for the operator to take along the display unit. Altogether, thedisplay unit designed as a tablet computer provides an easy handling forthe operator.

According to a further alternative embodiment, the display unit isprovided as a smart phone. While one can assume that the display unit asa smart phone has a smaller screen than in a situation where it ispresent as a tablet computer, there are in particular advantagesconcerning the weight and pack volume of the display unit in thisembodiment.

Possible operating systems for the display unit are, for example,adapted Linux systems, such as Android from the US-American manufacturerGoogle, QNX, iOS from Apple, Windows RT/Windows 8, or web-OS of theUS-American manufacturer HP. For a high-performance employment of thedisplay unit, in particular processors with ARM architecture are suited.Instead of a hard disk, a flash memory may be used as a mass storage inthe display unit, where as an alternative to this, or in supplement, atleast one hard disk or an SSD disk may be contained in the scope of thedisplay unit.

For an independent operation of the display unit, the latter preferablycomprises at least one separate accumulator which is automaticallychargeable when the display unit is attached to the docking station.Here, the accumulator of the display unit is connected to a fixednetwork, i.e., the power supply of the construction machine, so that itis being charged via the power grid of the construction machine as longas it remains inserted in the docking station. Therefore, no separatecharging cable is required. However, it is also possible for the displayunit to have an interface available for connecting an external chargingcable thereto. With this, the operator may even charge the accumulatorof the display unit when he has taken the display unit from the site tohis/her home or office.

A particularly ergonomic and stable attachment of the display unit atthe docking station is possible if the docking station has a receivingcavity into which the display unit fits. Then, the docking station willsimultaneously form an excellent deposition for the portable displayunit onto which the display unit may be safely placed even during apaving drive on uneven ground.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, thedisplay unit itself may be received in the receiving cavity in areversed orientation. A reversed orientation of the display unit meansthat a screen surface of the display unit is oriented directly facing asurface of the receiving cavity and is no longer visible for theoperator from outside. Such an orientation offers particular protectionof the screen surface of the display unit, so that it remains operableand protected from scratches for an extended time. Turning the displayunit in the receiving cavity of the docking station also prevents thescreen surface from being damaged by undesired UV radiation and preventsan operation of the display unit by unauthorized personnel. Moreover,this may help to prevent moisture from precipitating on the screensurface of the display unit.

Preferably, the display unit may be attached to the docking station soas to be lockable without any key or by means of a key. Mechanicaldecoupling of the display unit from the docking station performedthereby nevertheless permits a functional operation of the display unitin the removed state. Any removal of the display unit from the dockingstation is thus only permitted to those who have a key provided to thisend to release the locking between the display unit and the dockingstation. Keys intended for locking must not be confused with tools, forexample a screw driver, which are used for mounting or dismountingwell-known displays.

It is also advantageous for the display unit to be attached movably tothe docking station. In this variant, the operator may orient thedisplay unit relative to the docking station such that it may be easilyvisible from his/her position. Moreover, the operator may orient thedisplay unit depending on insolation, such that he may easily read theoperating parameters shown on the display unit.

The display unit may be optionally additionally equipped with a camera.When the operator has taken the display unit out of the docking station,he/she may use it correspondingly as a camera unit, for example to takepictures at the paving site, in particular pictures of a newly laid roadpavement. Due to this extended function of the display unit, theoperator does not have to take along an additional camera to optionallytake photos at the place of employment of the construction machine. Thedisplay unit thus fulfills a double function at least in this respect.

It is also helpful for the display unit to comprise at least oneinterface for peripheral devices, for example a mouse, a printer, a USBport, and/or a VGA port. Thereby, the display unit may be easilyfunctionally also connected to other devices, in particular when it istaken out of the docking station.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the disclosure, bymeans of the display unit, a plurality of operating parameters of theconstruction machine may be adjusted when the display unit is attachedto the docking station and/or removed from it. The display unit may thusbe used by the operator as an operating element to adjust the operatingparameters of the construction machine. In particular, operatingparameters, such as a tamper speed, a screed heating temperature, aconveyor speed of the material conveyor system, a paving mode as well asother operating parameters, may be thereby adjusted.

Preferably, the display unit comprises a touch-sensitive display whichis available for adjusting a plurality of operating parameters of theconstruction machine, and/or a virtual keyboard for calling in a displaymode. The touch-sensitive display may be easily operated by one fingeror a pin. As an alternative or in addition, the display unit maycomprise, according to a further embodiment, a voice command function.This enables the operator to give spoken commands to the display unit,for example to adjust a plurality of operating parameters of theconstruction machine by announcement. It is also conceivable that aplurality of different operating modes may be called in by means of thevoice command function which provides the operator with a predeterminednumber of operating functions.

It is furthermore possible for the display unit to be configured tocontrol digital devices, hydraulic and/or electric function units of theconstruction machine. The display unit may to this end be provided withcorresponding software to perform a selection and control of therespective devices or function units. It is e.g., conceivable that theoperator controls, by means of the display unit, a layer thicknessmeasuring device provided at the construction machine, wherein themeasuring results may be preferably indicated to the operator with thedisplay unit in real time. It would also be conceivable that, by meansof the display unit, a cooling system of the construction machine iscontrollable.

When the operator has taken out the display unit from the dockingstation, he/she may perform remote control of the digital devices,hydraulic and/or electric function units of the construction machine bymeans of Bluetooth, WiFi and/or LTE data radio communication. It istherefore no longer relevant whether the operator is located in thedirect proximity of the operating device for adjusting and controllingcorresponding devices. He may, according to this variant of theembodiment, rather take along the display unit and optionally performadjustments and controls of respective devices when he has gone awayfrom the operating device of the road finishing machine or feeder. Itwill be appreciated that all control functions of the display unit whichthe latter may perform when it is removed from the docking station mayalso be performed by the display unit when it is coupled to the dockingstation. Equally, the display unit may, both in the coupled state and ina state where it is removed from the docking station, also comprise,apart from the respective control functions, functions for receivingdata, so that a preferably continuous monitoring of the operatingparameters of the construction machine is possible.

It is particularly useful for the operator if the display unit may workonline, both in the coupled state or in a state removed from the dockingstation, i.e., if an Internet connection may be established with it.Thereby, the operator may receive, via the Internet, a plurality ofoperating and service instructions for a plurality of electronic and/orhydraulic machine systems of the construction machine, in particular forthe screed arrangement of the road finishing machine, and/or send, bymeans of the display unit, technical information to the customer and/orto a service center directly from the site. It is in particular alsopossible thereby to send data acquired by means of the display unit, forexample the pictures taken by the camera provided therein, to anexternal service center. Optionally, the acquired data may be alreadyevaluated on site by means of an application provided in the displayunit to this end. Preferably, the operator may also view trainingdemonstrations by means of the display unit.

The display unit is preferably connected, both in the coupled state andin a state where it is removed from the docking station, to a pluralityof receiving units of the construction machine, and it is configured todisplay data from these. It is conceivable that the display unit isfunctionally connected to distance measuring systems, docking systemsand/or layer thickness measuring systems. It is also conceivable thatthe display unit acquires and displays data of an engine monitoringsystem, a tire pressure monitoring system, and/or a thermographic devicefor monitoring a paving quality and/or a temperature of the newly laidroad pavement.

A further advantageous variant is that by means of the display unit, acurrent functional state of wearing parts of the construction machinemay be retrievable and displayable. One may in particular display thecondition of the heating rods of a screed heating device of the roadfinishing machine. Preferably, when the construction machine is started,the display unit indicates a critical functional state of wearing partsof the construction machine, so that the operator is informedimmediately at the beginning of his/her work whether wearing parts ofthe construction machine optionally must be replaced. It would inparticular also be possible for the display unit to indicate, when theconstruction machine is started, a filling level of a fuel tank for thedrive unit.

It would also be conceivable for the display unit to be configured fordata exchange with an external station. The display unit maycommunicate, for example, with a satellite to determine, based on suchdata exchange, a position of the construction machine which may beindicated to the operator on the display unit. It is furthermoreconceivable for the display unit to communicate with another vehicle onsite by data exchange, for example with a roller vehicle, to be informedabout specific working parameters, for example a roller measure. In thisrespect, the operator may then perform a manual or automatic adaptationof certain operating parameters at the construction machine.

According to another variant, an operation of the construction machinemay only be started when the display unit is functionally attached tothe docking station. The display unit functions here as a key, where anadditional ignition key for starting the engine of the constructionmachine is no longer necessary.

Against this background, it would also be possible to design the displayunit as an electronic registration certificate, i.e., with authorizationparameters, so that in this respect, a predetermined selection offunctions at the construction machine is activated for the operator.

To ensure that the construction machine may only be operated by acertain person, the display unit may comprise person identificationsoftware by means of which only a certain circle of persons is enabledto start the construction machine.

The display unit offers a further advantageous benefit when it has ahands-free equipment. By means of this equipment, the operator may, forexample, communicate with other workers on site or inform externalexperts about the work result. The display unit virtually fulfills thefunction of a smart phone, so that the operator does no longer needhis/her own mobile telephone or smart phone at the place of employment.

In particular during night works, it is advantageous for the displayunit and/or the docking station to comprise an illumination device. Thisfacilitates the connection of the display unit with the docking stationfor the operator.

Preferably, the operating device is a control panel on a controlplatform of a road finishing machine or feeder, or a screed controlstand of the road finishing machine.

Corresponding to the above explanations, the operating device of thedisclosure is an apparatus of a construction machine, preferably a roadfinishing machine or a feeder. It is nevertheless conceivable that theoperating device according to the disclosure is also employed in othervehicles, for example land vehicles or forestry vehicles, or at otherstationary systems.

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an operating device according to prior art;

FIG. 2 shows an operating device according to the disclosure withoutdisplay unit in the docking station;

FIG. 3 shows an operating device according to the disclosure with adisplay unit in the docking station;

FIG. 4 shows a screed control stand with an operating device accordingto the disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a construction machine designed as a road finishing machinewith an operating device according to the disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of the removed display unit withan accumulator, camera and periphery interface;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of the operating deviceaccording to the disclosure in connection with other units of the roadfinishing machine or feeder; and

FIG. 8 shows a construction machine designed as a feeder with anoperating device according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it isto be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary andthat various and alternative forms may be employed. The figures are notnecessarily to scale. Some features may be exaggerated or minimized toshow details of particular components. Therefore, specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilledin the art.

FIG. 1 shows a well-known operating device A with a display unit Bintegrally (i.e., permanently) installed into it. The operating device Acomprises a plurality of buttons C which are associated with respectiveoperating modules D of the operating device A. The display unit B ispermanently installed in the operating device A and cannot be removedfrom it, at least not without tools. An operation or inspection of thedisplay unit B is therefore only possible if an operator is positioneddirectly in front of the operating device A.

FIG. 2 shows an operating device 1 according to the disclosure which, incontrast to the operating device A of FIG. 1, comprises a dockingstation 2. The docking station 2 serves for receiving and functionallycoupling a display unit 3 shown in FIG. 3 with the operating device 1.The display unit 3 is a portable electronic device which may be receivedin the docking station 2. It may in particular be designed as a smartphone or a tablet computer.

FIG. 3 shows a plurality of operating elements 4 that are supported by abase or frame and by means of which operating parameters 5 may beadjusted whose values or settings can be seen on the display unit 3. Theoperating parameters 5 show the operator the operating state of devicesconnected to the operating device 1, for example hydraulic and/orelectric functional units. Furthermore, the display unit 3 inserted inthe docking station 2 comprises a plurality of touch-sensitive sensors 6which are aligned at the edge of the display unit 3. The display unit 3is received in a receiving cavity 7 (see FIG. 2) of the docking station2. The receiving cavity 7 is designed such that the display unit 3 isaligned with a frame region 8 of the frame of the operating device 1without any perceptible projection. Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows a fingercavity 9 by means of which the insertion or removal of the display unit3 into or from the docking station 2 is facilitated.

FIG. 4 shows a further operating device 1′ according to the disclosure.The latter is designed as a screed control stand. The operating device1′ of FIG. 4 also has a portable display unit 3′ which is attached in adocking station 2′ of the operating device 1′ as an independent,portable module.

The operating device 1 and the operating device 1′ thus both comprise,as an inventive element, a dockable and undockable display unit 3, 3′which is available for the operator as removable module.

FIG. 5 shows a construction machine X which is present, according tothis embodiment, as a road finishing machine 10 equipped with a controlplatform 11 and a screed control stand 12. The control platform 11includes the operating device 1 according to the disclosure. Twooperating devices 1′ are provided at the screed control stand 12. Theroad finishing machine 10 comprises a material bunker 30 in which pavingmaterial may be received. The paving material received in the materialbunker 30 is transported from there via a non-depicted conveyor deviceunderneath the control platform 11 to a screed 31 of the road finishingmachine. The screed 31 produces a new road pavement from the providedpaving material. According to FIG. 5, the road finishing machine 10furthermore comprises a tracklaying gear 32. By means of the operatingdevice 1, 1′ according to the disclosure, for example working functionsat the screed 31 may be adjusted. Furthermore, the operating device 1,1′ according to the disclosure is preferably configured to adjust adriving speed at the tracklaying gear 32 for the road finishing machine10.

FIG. 6 shows the display unit 3 employed in the disclosure in aschematic representation. The display unit 3 comprises a camera 13 whichis provided for taking digital pictures. The operator may therefore alsouse the display unit 3 as a camera to optionally record the pavingresult. Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows that the display unit 3 comprises anaccumulator 14. The accumulator 14 ensures that the display unit 3obtains sufficient power supply even if it is removed from the dockingstation 2 of the operating device 1, 1. All functions of the displayunit 3 may therefore be performed even when the display unit 3 isdecoupled from the docking station 2.

FIG. 6 also shows an interface 15 for peripheral devices. This may be aUSB or a VGA interface. The interface 15 permits to establish aconnection between the display unit 3 and other devices, in particularwhen the display unit 3 is removed from the docking station 2. Finally,FIG. 6 shows that the display unit 3 comprises an e.g., touch-sensitivedisplay 16, a hands-free equipment 26 and an illumination device 27. Asis shown in FIG. 3, the touch-sensitive display 16 may include aplurality of touch-sensitive keys 6. Finally, FIG. 6 shows personidentification software 28 which may detect, for example by means of aphoto or fingerprint technology, whether the operator is authorized forthe operating device 1, 1′.

FIG. 7 shows the operating device 1 according to the disclosure with adocked display unit 3. The display unit 3 is coupled to the dockingstation 2. The display unit 3 is operatively linked to a plurality ofdevices of the road finishing machine 10 by means of the docking station2 and a schematically shown data line leading away from it and/or apower supply 17. The devices may be, for example, digital devices 18,hydraulic and electric functional units 19, 20, 21 of the road finishingmachine 10, and/or wearing parts 29.

Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows that the display unit 3 is linked to therespective operating elements 4 of the operating device 1 via thedocking station 2 and a further data line 22 leading away from it.Thereby, inputs by means of the operating elements 4 may be displayed onthe display unit 3.

The display unit 3 is configured such that bidirectional communicationmay take place between it and the devices connected thereto as well asoperating elements 4 of the operating device 1.

Finally, FIG. 7 shows, also in a schematic representation, that thedisplay unit 3 taken out of the docking station 2 may also wirelesslycommunicate with the respective devices 18, 19, 20, 21. This way ofcommunication is also possible with the operating elements 4 of theoperating device 1. Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows that the removed displayunit 3 may work online via an Internet interface 23 embodied in thedisplay unit 3 and communicate with an external station 25.

FIG. 8 shows that the construction machine X is designed as a feeder 100which is equipped with the operating device 1 according to thedisclosure which is provided on the control platform 101 of the feeder100. The feeder 100 comprises a material bunker 102 from which pavingmaterial may be provided via a transport belt 103 to a road finishingmachine according to FIG. 5.

The operating device 1, 1′ according to the disclosure provides theoperator with a multifunctional display unit 3, 3′ by means of whichhe/she may perform different functions at the construction machine X.Here, the display unit 3, 3′ is not only restricted to displayingoperating parameters but offers a multifunctional tool to optionallymake adjustments of different operating parameters at the constructionmachine X, in particular at the road finishing machine 10 or feeder 100.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms according to thedisclosure. The words used in the specification are words of descriptionrather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the disclosure.

1. An operating device for a construction machine, the operating devicecomprising: a plurality of operating elements for adjusting operatingparameters of the construction machine; a display unit configured todisplay technical data; and a docking station at which the display unitis removably attachable so as to be removable without tools and Which isprovided for connecting the display unit with at least one data lineand/or power supply of the construction machine; wherein the displayunit in a docked or in an =docked state is configured to control digitaldevices, hydraulic functional units and/or electric functional units ofthe construction machine, and the display unit is configured to displaydata from a receiving unit fixed to the construction machine.
 2. Theoperating device according to claim 1 wherein the display unit is atablet computer.
 3. The operating device according to claim I whereinthe display unit comprises an accumulator which is automaticallychargeable when the display unit is attached in the docking station. 4.The operating device according to claim 1 wherein the docking stationcomprises a receiving cavity into which the display unit fits.
 5. Theoperating device according to claim 4 wherein the display unit may bereceived in the receiving cavity in a reversed orientation.
 6. Theoperating device according to claim 1 wherein the display unit isattached to the docking station in a lockable manner.
 7. The operatingdevice according to claim 1 wherein the display unit is movablyattachable to the docking station.
 8. The operating device according toclaim 1 wherein the display unit comprises a camera and/or at least oneinterface for peripheral devices.
 9. The operating device according toclaim 1 wherein, by means of the display unit, a plurality of operatingparameters can be adjusted when the display unit is attached in thedocking station or removed from the docking station.
 10. The operatingdevice according to claim 1 wherein the display unit comprises atouch-sensitive display.
 11. The operating device according to claim 1wherein the display unit is capable of working online.
 12. The operatingdevice according to claim 1 wherein a current functional state ofwearing parts of the construction machine is retrievable and displayableby means of the display unit.
 13. The operating device according toclaim. 1 wherein the display unit is configured for data exchange withan external station and/or with other vehicles.
 14. The operating deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the display unit is configured to permit anoperation of the construction machine when the display unit is attachedin the docking station.
 15. The operating device according to claim 1wherein the display unit comprises person identification software and/orhandsfree equipment.
 16. The operating device according to claim 1wherein the operating device is formed as a control panel for a controlplatform of a road finishing machine or a feeder or a screed controlstand of the road finishing machine.
 17. The operating device accordingto claims 1 wherein the construction machine is a road finishingmachine, a feeder, a roller vehicle, an excavator, a bulldozer, amilling machine, a rock crushing machine, a crane vehicle, a tip truckor a tractor.
 18. A road finishing machine, feeder for a road finishingmachine, roller vehicle, excavator, bulldozer, milling machine, rockcrushing machine, crane vehicle, tip truck or tractor comprising theoperating device according to claim 1.